Situated within the Shenzhen Nanshan Park, Forkid’s Club is a composite family space designed by Horace Pan of PANORAMA Design Group. Drawing inspiration from the Valley of Dreams, the space pulls parents and children away from the busy city and into an imaginative world. Inside its three floors, the design integrates functions of play, learning, dining, and socializing.
Through its distinct double-height volume, along with the newly built mezzanine, the design aims to inspire spatial excitement and self-exploration in children. The space breaks the rigidity of the building’s perimeter through the use of curves. Its curvilinear tectonics feature a dynamic flow, from playpens to the layout plan, that perfectly accommodates children’s play.
The playscape’s design employs a deliberate interplay of symbolic colors, shapes, scales, and textures. This strategic manipulation meets the playscape’s functional and emotional needs, as seen in the layout plan, where the circular flow creates a smooth transition from each zone. As such, children can freely immerse themselves from one play area to the next. Within these spaces, design choices such as a circular roof that mimics a starry night offer an additional whimsical dimension well-suited for children’s imaginations.
To complement the curved interiors, an abstract representation of the valley’s seasonal changes was used to stimulate children’s imaginations. Mirroring the natural landscape, the design offers memorable experiences for both parents and children across all three levels.
The interior is divided into four distinct zones: Spring Valley, Summer Beach, Autumn Leaf, and Winter Cave. Firstly, the Spring Valley is a vibrant welcome zone designed in shades of green to evoke the beauty of spring. Here, undulating hills offer a topographical play element for children. A giant, tree-like observatory tower dominates the center. In addition, it visually connects children with their parents as it presents a panoramic view of the space. There, parents can relax in the adjacent family café, which provides food and refreshments.
Secondly, the Summer Beach is a multi-tactile area featuring a beach-like open space with a designated color yellow. It features an array of play elements that contribute to a diverse and multi-tactile experience for children. Features such as the wooden ball pool and climbing ropes encourage children to use their hands and bodies to explore the different textures and shapes available within the area.
Thirdly, the Autumn Leaf is designated as the anti-gravity zone, distinguished by a suspended, orange leaf-shaped structure. It incorporates a rope array and a trampoline, providing a semi-enclosed environment perfectly suited for activities such as hide-and-seek and participation in anti-gravity exercises like rope climbing and trampolining.
Fourthly, the Winter Cave is referred to as the digital-interaction zone. It is located on the top level and comprises two multi-purpose gray areas: an open theater and an enclosed cave. These spaces are designed as quiet corners and feature interactive digital projections on the floor and ceiling. Features such as custom-designed 3D cartoon characters, rhythmic convex mirror discs, and distorted mirrored walls bring the space to life.
Ultimately, Forkid’s Club provides a stimulating and vibrant 380-sqm environment where both parents and children can immerse themselves in a vibrant space that encourages boundless imagination and play.
Photographs provided by PANORAMA Design Group
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